EU wants action against election fraudsters

The EU yesterday criticised elections in Kazakhstan at the weekend in which 91% of voters prolonged the rule of Nursultan Nazarbayev by seven years.

The Foreign Office, speaking on behalf of the EU presidency, noted "with disappointment" the conclusion of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe that the vote did not meet international standards.

The OSCE statement said official intimidation of the opposition "limited the possibility for a meaningful competition". The EU demanded Mr Nazarbayev take action against those responsible for fraud.